History of Canada Notes

Part One:

European Colonization

The First Nations

Native peoples of Canada

Came from Asia 12,000 years ago– Crossed Bering Land

Bridge that joined Russia to Alaska

12 tribes made up the First Nations

Inuit

One of the First Nation tribes

Still live in Canada today

1999—Canada’s government gave the Inuit Nunavut Territory in northeast Canada

The Europeans in Canada…

First explorers to settle Canada were Norse invaders from the Scandinavian Peninsula

In 1000 CE, they built a town on the northeast coast of Canada & established a trading relationship with the Inuit– The Norse deserted the settlement for unknown

reasons Europeans did not return to Canada until almost

500 years later…

A Viking Ship

England Claims Newfoundland

Italian explorer John Cabot, sailed to Canada’s east coast in 1497

Cabot claimed an area of land for England (his sponsor) & named it Newfoundland

John Cabot

New France

Jacques Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence River in 1534

claimed the land for France– French colonists

named the area New France

New France (Quebec)

1608--Samuel de Champlain built the first permanent French settlement in Quebec

Population grew slowly Many people moved inland to trap animals—

hats made of beaver fur were in high demand in Europe

Samuel de Champlain

New France (Quebec)

European fur traders were joined by French farmers, merchants, and missionaries from the Catholic Church

Brought with them French laws, traditions, & religion– France wouldn’t let anyone move to New France

who was not Catholic

The British in Canada…

British colonized region south of New France– Saw New France’s success in fur trapping &

wanted to take control of the fur trade

Led to the French and Indian War in 1754…

French and Indian War (1754)

Great Britain and Iroquois Indians versus France and Huron Indians

Great Britain fought for control of Canadian territory & the fur trade

Conquered Quebec in 1754 and forced France to sign the Treaty of Paris in 1763

Treaty of Paris (1763)

Gave British control of all lands east of the Mississippi River, except for 2 islands off of Newfoundland

British forced Nova Scotia’s French-speaking people to leave– Nova Scotia’s French went to another French

colony, Louisiana—descendants of these people are the Cajuns

Quebec Act--1774

British allowed French to stay in Quebec, but continued to control the region

Quebec Act guaranteed the French the right to maintain their culture (language, religion, traditions)

American Revolution

1776—Americans gained independence from Great Britain– This initiated a huge cultural change in Canada

Americans who did not believe in independence left America and moved to Quebec– These people were called “Loyalists” because they

were loyal to Great Britain– Result—Quebec began to have people who spoke

English as well as French

Quebec Act (1774)

Many Loyalists did not want to live among French speaking Canadians

Cultural difference between the English speakers & French speakers sparked many conflicts

1774—British government passed the Quebec Act

Quebec Act’s Results

Gave French Canadians in Quebec the right to continue practicing the Catholic religion & and allowed French civil law

Loyalists were irritated with the new political & cultural power of the French

Could not own land or have representation in Quebec’s government

The differences among the two groups eventually led to a re-division of the country…

Division of Canada

Most English speaking citizens lived in Upper Canada (Ontario)

Most French speaking citizens lived in Lower Canada (Quebec)

DDD